Comments - PED's for an HVAC Technician? - Home Energy Pros2016-12-10T01:13:29Zhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profiles/comment/feed?attachedTo=6069565%3ABlogPost%3A127774&xn_auth=noGee, it seems that you are in…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2013-08-09:6069565:Comment:1323152013-08-09T17:18:33.762ZChris Comptonhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/ChrisCompton
<p>Gee, it seems that you are indicating that a "professional" approach to being a contractor/technician type is recommended? I can rant on that one all day long but the reality is that HVAC is still a "familial" business. There are approximately 230,000 HVAC contractors in the US with an average size of 5 or less employees. 20% or less of them are who I would consider "professional" operators....the other 80% are not the least bit interested in excelling at what they do, growing their…</p>
<p>Gee, it seems that you are indicating that a "professional" approach to being a contractor/technician type is recommended? I can rant on that one all day long but the reality is that HVAC is still a "familial" business. There are approximately 230,000 HVAC contractors in the US with an average size of 5 or less employees. 20% or less of them are who I would consider "professional" operators....the other 80% are not the least bit interested in excelling at what they do, growing their business and really being successful....it's just a job. When and if they approach the thought of being successful they are usually overwhelmed by what it takes and back away. </p>
<p>We have been engaged (in an educational process) with the existing workforce for 15 years and personally I don't have much hope for them. Somehow the concept of professionalism or craftsmanship has never taken a deep root in this industry...the blame can go in all directions but that doesn't solve the problem. We need to focus on the next generation now or continue to stay buried in the morass of ignorance, rules of thumb, and the blind leading the blind. </p>
<p>From our perspective the current workforce leaves a huge opportunity hole for anyone that wishes to step up and take advantage of it. We are training the next generation workforce now using online educational methods "blended" with hands on labs to practice and master the necessary competencies. Those competencies include all of your bullet points listed. A competent tech is not made overnight it is a process of knowledge, skills and experience and probably more importantly a personal commitment to be the professional. Obviously you have an ear on the street and know your list is what has been heard for the past several decades. </p>
<p>You are right...there isn't any magic pill or cream...it's just hard study and hard work for anyone that wants to be successful in the industry...no silver bullet, why do people keep looking for one? The good news that we have for our students and working technicians is there isn't any "glass ceiling" in the biz....if you want to go there there are plenty of opportunities all you have to do is the work! <a href="http://www.hvacredu.net" target="_blank">www.hvacredu.net</a></p>
<p></p> Do you have favorite tools fo…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2013-07-29:6069565:Comment:1288502013-07-29T19:19:54.340ZTom Strumolohttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/TomStrumolo
<p>Do you have favorite tools for AC test tune balance? I got a chance to play with Honeywell's Servicemaster kit many years ago, might not even have been digital. Or would any of you have recommended manufacturers or suppliers I could contact for more information / specs? I am an engineer and want to be specific about the tools and reports I need the HVAC techs to use when servicing my clients' equipment. These new tools allow us to make pretty accurate savings projections.</p>
<p>Do you have favorite tools for AC test tune balance? I got a chance to play with Honeywell's Servicemaster kit many years ago, might not even have been digital. Or would any of you have recommended manufacturers or suppliers I could contact for more information / specs? I am an engineer and want to be specific about the tools and reports I need the HVAC techs to use when servicing my clients' equipment. These new tools allow us to make pretty accurate savings projections.</p> The tag line paragraph almost…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2013-07-29:6069565:Comment:1289102013-07-29T18:58:30.831ZAnthony Hydehttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/AnthonyHyde
<p>The tag line paragraph almost made me delete the post - just another wild idea that should never have been posted. Then I started reading with the intent to blast the poster of such drivel.</p>
<p>But items 1-3 are spot on advice for HVAC contractors. The only thing I would like to have seen added was how to get those "Don't tell me how to do it, I been doing it this way for 20 years" contractors into today's world.</p>
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<p>The tag line paragraph almost made me delete the post - just another wild idea that should never have been posted. Then I started reading with the intent to blast the poster of such drivel.</p>
<p>But items 1-3 are spot on advice for HVAC contractors. The only thing I would like to have seen added was how to get those "Don't tell me how to do it, I been doing it this way for 20 years" contractors into today's world.</p>
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<p> </p> Actually there IS such a thin…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2013-07-29:6069565:Comment:1288452013-07-29T18:47:12.278Ztedkiddhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/tedkidd
<p>Actually there IS such a thing. It's called a Comprehensive Home Analysis - given to homeowners by contractors with the blessing and specifications of the State. </p>
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<p>The Performance Enhancing part is these reports, on average, promise savings of 2-3 time what homeowners actually experience: </p>
<div><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif">Here are a few reports that have very disappointing numbers: …</font></div>
<p>Actually there IS such a thing. It's called a Comprehensive Home Analysis - given to homeowners by contractors with the blessing and specifications of the State. </p>
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<p>The Performance Enhancing part is these reports, on average, promise savings of 2-3 time what homeowners actually experience: </p>
<div><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif">Here are a few reports that have very disappointing numbers: </font></div>
<div><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif"> </font></div>
<div><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif"><a href="http://bit.ly/2007NYSERDAhpwesresults" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/2007NYSERDAhpwesresults</a> -The first report I found has program realization at .38 (see appendix page 13)</font></div>
<div><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif"><a href="http://bit.ly/NYSERDAandreattareport" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/NYSERDAandreattareport</a> - the "we suck less" report - see conclusion at bottom</font></div>
<div><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif"><a href="http://bit.ly/2012HPwESImpact" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/2012HPwESImpact</a> - didn't turn out as well as "we suck less" report projected</font></div>
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<div><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif"><br/>And requirements that "Projects" appear "cost effective" gives inherent blessing and institutionalization to the lie. </font> <span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">The basic problems seem to be:</span><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<li><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif">No feedback on results</font></li>
<li><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif">No accountability for results</font></li>
<li><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif">No clarity around objectives</font></li>
<li><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif">No incentive for excellence</font></li>
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<div><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif">Tracking actual results seems the only path to breaking free of these lies State Programs are enforcing upon unknowing contractors. </font></div>
<div><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif">I've been mounting a campaign to get contractors thinking about their results. This way they can be prepared for the shift to accountability. This is published on my blog (as are the warnings I tried to give NYSERDA about the path SIR requirements and low energy costs placed them on):</font></div>
<div><a href="http://bit.ly/febcontractorupdate" target="_blank"><font face="comic sans ms, sans-serif">http://bit.ly/febcontractorupdate</font></a></div>
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